CNN —
A 20-year-old college student is missing while on spring break in the Dominican Republic. The search for Sudiksha Konanki has drawn attention from local and international authorities.
Sudiksha, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, was last captured on surveillance video entering the beach at the Riu República Hotel around 4:15 a.m. on a Thursday. She was with a group of friends, who later returned without her. Concern mounted after she did not appear back at her hotel.
The search operations involve teams from the Dominican Republic, the United States, and India. Search dogs, drones, and helicopters are all part of the effort to locate her.
Sudiksha’s family describes her as a dedicated student with dreams of becoming a doctor. “My daughter is a very nice girl,” her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, shared, emphasizing her ambition and positive spirit. They moved to the US from India in 2006 and now live in Virginia.
Friends and family in her hometown worry deeply about her well-being. A family friend expressed the community’s distress, noting, “It’s been four days, and everybody’s so worried.”
Sudiksha traveled to the Dominican Republic on March 3 with five other female students. When her father reported her missing around 5:43 p.m. on Thursday, authorities acted quickly. They began collaborating with local police and federal agencies.
In the hours leading up to her disappearance, Sudiksha enjoyed drinks with her friends at the hotel. Reports indicate she was last seen at approximately 3 a.m., then entering the beach shortly after. Her friends returned to the hotel, but Sudiksha did not follow.
Surveillance footage shows her friends leaving the beach around 5:55 a.m., but Sudiksha was not with them. When they recognized her absence, they searched for her and alerted authorities. A sarong belonging to Sudiksha was later found on a lounge chair, but no signs of struggle were apparent.
The police are interviewing a man believed to be the last person with Sudiksha. His accounts of that morning have varied, adding to the investigation’s complexity. While he claimed they entered the ocean together, he later suggested different scenarios regarding her disappearance.
The search for Sudiksha is extensive, involving multiple agencies and advanced technology, including drones. Her father highlighted the numerous areas searched, expressing hopes for her safe return. Authorities continue to explore every possibility, including considering whether foul play may be involved. They have reinforced resources and personnel for the search and are maintaining close coordination with the family and international officials.
Sudiksha’s family and friends are holding onto hope during this challenging time, and the search efforts show no signs of slowing down. Everyone involved seeks answers as the investigation unfolds.
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